Hardly Working
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Synopsis
An ethnographic pseudo-documentary focusing on Non-Player Characters (NPCs) in the open-world video game Red Dead Redemption 2. The film observes the repetitive, glitch-prone daily routines of digital workers whose algorithmic behavioral AI loops serve as metaphors for contemporary human labor under late capitalism.
- Studio
- Total Refusal, sixpackfilm
- Release date
- 2022-08-08
- Language
- en
AI Filmmaking
Created as an ethnographic machinima by the artistic collective Total Refusal, the film observes, documents, and analyzes the game engine's behavior tree AI and pre-programmed NPC routines within Red Dead Redemption 2, turning game AI behavioral logic and pathfinding glitches into sociological critique.
Score Breakdown
Widely acclaimed across international A-list film festivals, winning the European Film Award for Best Short Film and awards at Locarno. Highly innovative in its sociological subversion of video game algorithmic AI.
Recognition
- European Film Awards2023selection· European Short Film
- Locarno Film Festival2022selection· Pardi di domani - Best Direction Award
- Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival2023selection· Lab Competition Special Mention
- Sarajevo Film Festival2022selection· Best Short Film
- Festival du nouveau cinéma (FNC)2022selection· FNC Lab Short Film Award
AIVIE Pro Ratings
No verified professional ratings yet.
Ranking History
Evidence & Sources
- review
Critically praised for its witty Marxist analysis of digital background algorithms and automated routines in gaming environments.
Cineuropa - festival
Awarded the Pardi di domani Best Direction Award (PIARDI D'ARGENTO) at the 75th Locarno Film Festival in 2022.
Locarno Film Festival - festival
Hardly Working won the 2023 European Short Film category at the 36th European Film Awards.
European Film Academy - interview
The directors describe the piece as an ethnographic research on video game NPCs, exploring work ethic, algorithmic existence, and system bugs.
Total Refusal Official Statement